Kayode Fayemi calls Atiku’s subsidy proposal a political strategy

Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has characterized Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to revisit fuel subsidies as a political strategy rather than an economic necessity. Speaking in an interview on Arise Television, Fayemi compared the proposal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) decision to field a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 election, suggesting it is a calculated move to appeal to voters struggling with the economic fallout of subsidy removal ahead of the 2027 general election.

Fayemi reiterated his long-standing support for the removal of petrol subsidies, noting his advocacy for the policy during his tenure as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. While he maintains that subsidy removal is necessary, he criticized the implementation process under President Bola Tinubu. He noted that while the current administration inherited significant groundwork from the previous government, the execution has caused substantial hardship for vulnerable Nigerians. Fayemi suggested that Atiku’s position is designed to resonate with those most affected by rising living costs.